Who is David Matthews? Spencer Matthews’ dad and Pippa Middleton’s father-in-law facing second rape allegation
PIPPA Middleton’s father-in-law was taken into custody in Paris accused of raping a minor— something he strenuously denies.
Here is all you need to know about multi-millionaire David Matthews, father of reality TV star Spencer and Pippa's husband James.
Who is David Matthews?
David Matthews is the father of James Matthews, 41, who is married to Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
He is also the father of Spencer Matthews the reality TV star who made his name on Made In Chelsea.
Matthews is a self-made multi-millionaire who grew up near Rotherham.
The 74-year-old started his career as garage mechanic working in his dad’s business.
He moved into motorsport and married Anita Taylor, a glamorous fellow driver.
The couple had a daughter called Nina together but divorced in 1969.
Matthews was forced to retire in 1973 due to major injuries and then focused on transforming a used-car enterprise into the Kirkby Central Group, which was later the subject of a £8.5 million takeover.
He then met his second wife, Rhodesian-born artist Jane Parker, with whom he had three sons, James, Spencer, and Michael, who tragically died when he was just 22 on an expedition up Mount Everest.
After several successful years in business, Matthews ventured into hotels, snapping up the Eden Rock in St Barts in 1995, which he moved into and totally revamped.
Today, Eden Rock is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, where everyone from Beyonce to Elton John, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio has stayed.
Its priciest suite costs £25,000 a night.
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What allegations have been made against David Matthews?
French national news agency AFP said Matthews has been quizzed over the alleged ‘rape of a minor’.
Matthews was arrested Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Paris Orly Airport.
The rape case is being dealt with by the Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) of the Paris judicial police.
Matthews strenuously denies all allegations.
The case will now be subject to a judicial investigation.
Another allegation surfaced on April 4 in which a woman is understood to have claimed David Matthews, 74, forced her to have sex with him in the 1980s.
Mr Matthews returned to the UK in a private jet after being quizzed on the allegations.
He was seen arriving at Fairoaks Airport in Woking on June 22.
What has David Matthews said about the allegations of rape?
Mr Matthews has denied the allegations, calling them "untrue and scandalous".
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